Remembering a cousin and a friend

The week we laid our cousin Jimmy Greene to rest. Jimmy was the youngest child of Donna and George Greene of Shell. Many people did not know Jimmy and I were first cousins. His dad was the youngest brother of my dad, Bill Greene. 

Jimmy and I didn’t grow up together. Family drama from our fathers’ time as well as our family not living in Wyoming were factors. 

One Day’s of 49 in the 1970s, Jimmy and his brother Steve were cruising main in Greybull. As they drove by, a person told me, “There go your cousins.” I got in a vehicle and chased them down. We talked, but didn’t keep in touch much, though. 

Fast forward to the 1995 or so. I went to a street dance at Mustang Days for the local country station I was working for. Across the dance floor was a man watching the crowds. I turned to my niece and said, “That is a Greene.”He said later that he looked at me and thought “That is a Greene.” We hugged. 

Over the years, through Facebook, we got to know each other, share family stories and realize that being a jokester was a family trait. As was writing. 

His granddaughter Jadyn read the following at Jimmy’s service. It is something he wrote. To honor him and his family, I’m sharing it with you. 

I am from the Basin.

A ring of mountains surrounding my life.

I am a child of the summer.

In a time of fishing so came I. 

George and Donna gave me life. 

With my brothers Mike and Steve. 

My ancestors walked the trail of tears. 

This gives me courage, so I need not fear. 

My grandfather learned of the earth

and the story of the past. 

I also search for this truth of a land before time. 

A land before man. 

I search the land with a wind in my eyes.

With many horses between my thighs. 

I pass on this knowledge to those who will listen.

Some willing, and some not so willing. 

I am a father of three and a grandfather of two

Of a rock, a semiprecious stone,

and a sweet bit of candy just gasping for breath. 

The wind in the Ponderosa Pine fills my heart. 

The sound of the stream sets me free 

Sometimes I dive in, to flee, 

Long summer days on the water bring me full circle 

To the beginning of my time.

Jimmy L Greene 1961-2026